Resorts AC to Launch Real Money iGaming by Month's End

The Resorts Casino in Atlantic City has received approval to offer iGaming in New Jersey, but not with PokerStars. The company announced on Wednesday that they have received a transactional waiver to offer online gaming services through Sportech NYX Gaming LLC, which is a joint venture between Sportech PLC and NYX Gaming Group LTD.

Games will be offered through ResortsCasino.com and will feature primarily slot and table games. Online poker will not be spread at this time as Amaya is still trying to gain approval for PokerStars in the state.

Resorts is the oldest casino in Atlantic City and by far the smallest. Last year, the company only took in a combined $139.3 million in revenue. While this was a solid 6.6% gain year-over-year, it still trailed far behind every other property by year’s end. Borgata was the city’s top-earning casino in 2014, taking in $687 million.

When the site launches later this month, it will offer over 120 slot and table games. At least 40 of these games will be new offerings for the New Jersey iGaming community. Currently, the site offers free money slots only.

Can Resorts Casino Succeed in Saturated Market?

The primary question on the minds of both players and gaming analysts is whether the new site will be able to gain a foothold in the New Jersey iGaming market. New Jersey residents have proven more willing to gamble on general iGaming over poker, but Resorts Casino will be battling with four other casinos that already have established their niche in the market.

A lot of their ability to stake a claim in the New Jersey market will rely on how different their offerings are over those at Tropicana, Golden Nugget and the rest. If they offer a product that is appealing to players and not available elsewhere, they will deposit and play. However, if their new games do not distinctly separate them from the rest, Resorts will probably find themselves at the bottom barely hanging on.

What About PokerStars?

The launching of real money gaming on ResortsCasino.com has no impact on the licensing of PokerStars for online poker in New Jersey. The application remains under review by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).

Senator Ray Lesniak firmly believes that time is running out on the application, stating that if movement isn’t made by March, it won’t happen. This comes after accusations have risen against Governor Chris Christie that he is holding up the license due to his relationship with Sheldon Adelson.

The move to launch general iGaming now could be looked at both ways. Some might spin that the company believes that PokerStars is about to receive approval and they are simply moving forward. Others might believe that they know that PokerStars isn’t getting approved soon and moving ahead with what products are currently ready for consumption.

We should get a clearer picture on the PokerStars situation in the coming weeks and how Resorts will perform in the New Jersey market. At present, the site hopes to be operational for real-money play by February 25.

James Guill

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James Guill began his poker career in 2006, spending two years traveling the US tournament circuit. Since 2008, he has covered the game extensively for some of the biggest names in the industry. When not writing about the latest poker news, he can be found hunting for antique treasures in Central Virginia.